Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (B7/B8a Development Role)

Job Summary
Are you passionate about using a breadth of psychological skills to proactively support people with learning disabilities and their care networks?

Are you progressive in your thinking, recognising the need for systemic, trauma informed interventions for people with learning disabilities who may communicate distress through behaviour?

Would you like to work in dynamic and innovative services that strive to be at the forefront of support for people with learning disabilities?

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS trust have a post for a passionate, motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our welcoming team of psychologists in a band 7 to 8a development post 0.8WTE.

We are continually striving to develop our ant- discriminatory practice and we have taken a lead on our divisional strategy on equity.

The postholder will be based in the Intensive Support Service and will also be embedded within our two CTPLD's across Surrey and Northeast Hants.

If you are a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, looking for a supportive and sustainable NHS role, then we really look forward to hearing from you.

Closing date: 31 July 2026

Main duties of the job

• To provide highly specialist expertise to the assessment, formulation and intervention for people with learning disabilities as part of our evidence based psychological pathways.
• To provide highly specialist consultation and direct contribution to the development of understanding individuals needs and trauma informed support plans.
• To work with others within health and social care services, service providers, families and carers to deliver high quality care
• To work autonomously and to effectively function as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Please note that this is a 0.8 WTE permanent band 7 development opportunity and funding has been secured for the appointed candidate to progress to a band 8A Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist position once agreed clinical and leadership competencies have been met. Unless 8a competencies are met at the time of application, the successful candidate will commence in post at band 7 and then work towards individualised competencies as discussed with the Manager and Psychology Lead. We welcome applications from newly qualified psychologists or trainee psychologists due to qualify in 2025.

About us
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Details
Date posted: 28 July 2026
Closing date: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £51,657 to £67,020 a year. Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 325-7834441-PLD-A
Job locations: Leatherhead Hub, 18 Mole Business Park, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, KT22 7AD, United Kingdom.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology or equivalent
• HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist qualification

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working clinically with people who have learning disabilities and express their distress through behaviour.
• Experience of working with complex systems at times of high expressed emotion including families, carers and paid providers.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working.
• Experience of taking a lead professionally.
• Experience of teaching and training others, using a variety of multi-media materials.
• Experience of working with individuals who have significant communication difficulties.
• Experience in the development of trauma-informed support plans.
• Experience of effective collaborative working or network development with a range of professional groups/ organisations.

Skills
Essential

• It is essential to hold a driver's license and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Elisabeth Goad
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